Most of you have seen my post on the Patriot Stage 2 head that I a planning on purchasing. The head comes with the Patriot valvetrain and +1mm oversized Ferrea valves. I want to make sure that I maximize the performance of this head by buying whatever I need.

I am planning to swap out the patriot valvetrain for my new Supertech 75# valvetrain. However, below is what I need help on.

1. Cams - I have a "stage 3 cam" (custom ground Colt cam). I do not believe it is a real stage 3 (forgot the damn specs - bought them used). Perhaps a 1.5 or stage 2 cam. When I got the car tuned with these cams, at idle it was obvious I had a cam due to the "rumble." Not a huge rumble like I have heard on the COMP cam stage 3 but still noticeable. Yes, I have stock valvetrain and I redline it all the time - perhaps that tells me its not a true high lift cam because I should have broken something by now, although I don't drive the car at all, who knows. I would like to purchase the Comp stage 3 cam and swap it out now that I have a proper valvetrain. The reason I mention all of this is I need to know how necessary buying the Comp cams are. I do not know how much power I made on the cams as I had just installed the LE5 intake manifold and then was tuned with both additions.

2. Adjustable Cam Gears - I think this would be a great benefit for these cams so that I can make full use of them.

4. GEN III Rocker Arm - I hear its best to upgrade these especially for high RPM but also heard that is not required, right now.

5. Balance Shaft Delete Kit - In order to maximize power in the high RPM range with the Comp cam stage 3; allows the car to rev high safely and faster.

6. Accessories - new head gasket, new head bolts (Golden Eagle), valve stem seals etc. will go in of course.

7. Tuning - Standalone ECU or HPT - have not decided.

What do you guys think of the above? What else can I do to maximize performance of this head. I know the LSJ head route is the better way to go but that may be attempted down the road.

I have no idea at what RPM I will make the max HP. I am hoping around 7500 RPM or less. I love high reving motors and that is what I would like to achieve. The car sees a few hundred miles a year; I am not looking for a streetable car. Thanks to all for your inputs.

Thanks for the info and link. I have already purchased a set of GM adjustable racing gears which I will using to retard the exhaust camshaft between 2-4 degrees and see what it does for power (advice given to me by SMG Motoring). I didn't know about the Saab gears . I am planning on deleting the balance shafts as well as installing a 7.5 lb Fidanza flywheel. I'll give the stage 3 more thought.

Lol. I want more too except I had to switch to solid adjusters (GM race cams) and I wasn't going to go that route right now. The other thing that I keep hearing is that unless I am planning to only run the 1/4, the stage 2 is what I should get and better low end power and torque. The car sees a few hundred miles a year; not concerned with drivability but I also don't want to only pull power over 5K (I am tuned that way now and I don't enjoy it). I want to build the car for high RPM but I also want to enjoy the low to mid range power. I'll check out your project, thanks!

Can you tell me where you got your ECU? I spend a lot of time in London - in fact, years I go I would constantly post up that I was traveling there and what should I look for to bring back. I was just in the U.K in Sept. I may have to just go with the stage 2.

"FRIENDS DON'T LET FRIENDS DRIVE STOCK"

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